Rolling and rocking toy



Oct. 24; 1950 R. B. BENNETT ROLLING AND ROCKING TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1946 T v U M N E5 W 5 W W B Q 1950 R. B. BENNETT ROLLING AND ROCKING TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1946 INVENTOR.

Oct. 24, 1950 BENNETT 2,526,927

ROLLING AND ROCKING TOY Filed Dec. (5)1946 4 Sheets-Sheet s j INVENTOR.

P08ET 8. acwxvcrr Och 1950 R. a. BENNETT ROLLING AND ROCKING TOY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 6, 1946 INVENTOR. P055497 8. B 77 an/QM w Patented Oct. 24, 1 950 v UN PATENT OFFICE.

I his invention. relates to-improvements in rolling androckingtoys, and more particularly to a roller toywhichis convertible to-a stroller, or which may be converted into a rocking toy.

It is the object of this invention to provide an enclosed rolling toy, with seat, steering means; and foot rests, wherein the latter may be ad-' justed to permit the occupants feet to engage the ground. 7

It is the object of this invention to provide means whereby the toy is upsettable 180"to produce a rocking toy with seat together with means for limiting rocking movements.

It is the further object ,of this invention to provide the rolling toy with a storage compartment, and'with a bumper mechanism positioned entirely around the toy and joined to the closure door of saidcompartment; j I

It. is a still further object'of this in'vention'to provide means for upwardly tilting" said bumper so that the same may be employed as a handle for pushingrthe rolling toy as a stroller:

These and many other objectswill be seen'in the following specification and claims in conjunction with the appendeddrawings in which:

Figure 1 is 'aplan ,view-of-the rolling toy.

Figure 2 is a side";elevational-section thereof on line 2'-2 ofFigure'l.

Figure 3 is a front elevational section thereof on line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a front elevational section thereof on line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the rolling toy with bumper pivoted upwardly and compartment cover opened.

It will be understood that the above drawings illustrate merely one preferred embodiment of the invention, and that other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the claims hereafter set out.

Referring to the drawing, the rolling toy comprises a substantially U-shaped base frame consisting of spaced converging side members II central front end member l2, and cross bars l3 and I4. Said members are preferably of hollow tubular construction for lightness and strength. Said forward end member l2 extends outwardly at its ends and curves rearwardly at points l5 with its rear portions l5 bent inwardly as best illustrated in Figure 1. Cross bars l3 and I4 join side members H at their ends to reinforce the base structure of the toy. 7

Referring to Figure 3 front support 12 has mounted and welded thereon at points 18 the two ltolicrt B. Bennett, Akron,phio I z e l 1 "Application December 6, 1946', Serial No; 714,369

4 Claims. (01.28.9530)" spaced upwardly andrearwardly curved arcuate supports H with reinforcing cross bar 20 joined theretoa Spaced members l-9- aresubstantially semicircular as shown in Figure 2, projectup wardlyand back, and beyond-their central high estportion are curved downwardly with their respective endssuitably joined to theends of cross bar- I I as illustrated in Figures 1 and -2-.

Spacer bars 2|, 22, 23--and 24 are interposed bet ween'arcuate members l 9-and respectively secured thereto at their ends as' by' welding to providea rigid structure:-'-

Spaced cockpit-formingguard rails 25 areposi tioned belowthe highest portions of arcuate rockerrmembers l9- and supported by inwardly projectingextensionsifiinterposed between said rails and members I9. The inwardly-eurved'ends of-rails 25-"are-"respectively joined to cross bars ZZ-a'ndZS'to provide-a closedcockpitj Flatback-res-t' 21- 28; Figures 1- and 2; is interposedbetweenrockermembers Is at its upper portion Zland extends angularlydownward and diverges. Y

Tlielowerportion of said back rest extends downwardly air-an obtuseangle to portion 21 and is suitably secured at'its' lower end'to cross Horizontal seat '29 is-elevated relativeto' base II'-':l2""and-is joinedand-secured at one end "to an intermediate portion" of" backrest- 21:48 by screws 39?" The forward "portion SI of said seat, of reduced width to accommodate the riders legs, extends-forwardly andis secured and sup; ported at its I the r end to cross bar2G by clip" bracket 32 and bolt" 33.

When employed as a rocking toy being upset degrees'torest on" the arcuateedges of meinbers l9, it'is'seen that'the' same seat .29 maybe used"upon"itsother surface in conjunction with backrest '28, MemberS'fhas a forward enlarged porti0n32' with-a central opening therein through which steering bushing? 3' is rotatably journaled. Supporting" discs 34 having corresponding openings therein are"position ed; aboveand below portion 32' and'securedthereto :by'screws or rivets 35 to more effectively f j"ournal and" support said steering bushingf Front wheel supportingfork 36' is aligned'wit-h bushin 133" which centrally projects thereinto and is secured thereto as bywelding at points 31; Wheel axle supporting clips 3% are 'bo'ltedat -39 to the lower ends of forl; 3'6 tosu-pport axle "39 upon which front wheel 40 is journaled.

Steering shaft M projects down into bushing 33' and is secured relatively thereto by collar 42 with set screw 43. Said shaft projects upwardly and terminates in the steering wheel segment 44 as illustrated in Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 rear axle supporting plate 45 extends between cross bars l4 and I! with its forward edge 46 upturned and suitably secured upon bar l4 as by welding, and with its rear edge 41 formed to engage the underside of cross bar I! to which it is preferably welded.

Plate 45 has a furrowed or arcuate transverse depression within which is mounted rear axle 48, and which is retained therein by the formed brackets 49 held in position by rivets 50.

Axle 48 projects beyond plate 45 and rear wheels are suitably journaled and retained thereon to support the rear end of the rolling toy.

The vehicle bumper consists of a formed unitary member preferably of tubular construction 5| which is completed enclosed in a resilient substance 52 such as rubber to act as a cushion.

Said bumper which is adapted to entirely surround the toy consists of the diverging side members 53 which are pivotally mounted at their rear ends to the outer ends of axle 48. r The ends of members 53 are formed to curve downwardly at points 54 and inwardly, and are joined by intermediate end bumper member 55. Similarly the front ends of said bumper members 53 are curved downwardly at points 56 and inwardly, being joined by intermediate front end bumper member 51. It will be noted that said bumper in surrounding the vehicle corresponds in shape with and lies in parallel relation to members ll, I5, I2 and I! respectively, forming a part of the vehicle base. i

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the front and rear bumper portions 51 and 55 are positioned relatively close to the surface upon which the toy is rolled, to thereby push movable obstacles such as feet, furniture or toys to one side rather than running over them. Said bumpers are adapted to prevent tipping of the toy and also protect the walls of a room since they are positioned to strike the more scar resistant base board.

The front end of the toy bumper is normally horizontally supported by the spaced clips 58 which are secured at points 59 to opposite sides of the front end of the toy.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4 floor boards 60 and 6| are respectively hinged at 62 and 63 to the inner edges of said frame members H and rest in horizontal position upon cross support 13, Figure 1, to act as a foot rest for the occupant when the toy is in strolling position.

When the rolling toy is to be used as a walker, floor boards 60 and 6| maybe pivoted upwardly, Figure 4, to a vertical position with their upper ends retained against falling by spring clips 64, secured at 65 to the inner side walls of the toy.

Similarly, when the toy is inverted 180 degrees to be used as a rocking toy members 60 and 6| would normally be positioned vertically, though it is not absolutely essential inasmuch as there is a definite spaced relation between the edges of members 60 and GI and back rest 28.

The frame work of the toy is completely enclosed by a covering shell or skin 66 which in Figure 3 is shown as extending across the front end of the toy with its central portions bearing upon the two spaced arcuate members I9 and with its side portions extending down and outwardly from said members and joined at 61 to the underside of frame member II. The front 4- portion of shell 66 extends along the outer edges of arcuate members l9 and is also joined at 61 to the undersides of front frame member l2.

Side shell members 86 as shown in Figure 4 extend only to the top edge of the central effective rocking portion of arcuate members l9 as further illustrated in Figure 1.

The rear portion of the toy could be further covered by shell 66 if desired to make the toy fully enclosed as a unit. However, in the present embodiment a compartment is provided at the rear of the toy to allow transportation of articles such as groceries, in the manner illustrated in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 5 it is seen that the compartment 68 is outlined by the edges of converging rear portions of shell 66, Figure 5,

' and the spaced downwardly curved arcuate members IS.

A hollow storage container is provided for this compartment consisting of platform base 63 which may be omitted if desired, shell side members 10 and intermediate top shell member 1|. Container 10, H is positioned over spaced arcuate members If! and pivotally joined thereto on opposite sides at points 12 on the inner supports of side members 10. In the closed position Figure 2 container platform 69 rests at its for-' ward edge upon cross brace l4, while the under side of curved top wall H rests upon arcuate members I9.

Referring to Figures 1 and 5 spaced levers 13 are pivotally joined at their outer ends at points I4 to outer portions of rear bumper member 55. The inner ends of said levers project up through openings 15 in the bottom of platform 69 adjacent side walls 10.

Links 16 are pivotally joined at one of their ends at 11 to the inner ends of said levers respectively, with their forward ends being pivotally joined at 18 to the inner side walls 10 of the storage container.

Thus, bumper 53, 55, 51 may be pivoted about its supporting axis 48 to the position shown in Figure 5 to act as a handle for the toy when used as a push cart or a stroller. Said bumper is limited in its pivotal movement by its lower end 55 engaging the inner ends of frame members ll, Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 2 when the toy is inverted 180 degrees to rest upon rocker members l9, portions '19 and forming a part thereof are substantially flat to limit the rocking arc of the toy to prevent accidental tipping. Extreme rocking movements are further limited by the front and rear portions 55 and 51 of the toy bumper. 7

As viewed in Figure 1, the rear portions of container 10 at its opposite sides are cut away at 8| adjacent pivotal support 12 to provide a clearance for said container relative to, arcuate members [9 when said container is pivoted to the position shown in Figure 5.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the claims which follow for determining the scope thereof.

I claim:

1. A rolling and rocking toy comprising a hollow base, spaced supporting wheels journaled thereon a pair of spaced arcuate upwardly extending rocker members mounted on said base and joined thereto at their ends, a continuous bumper positioned entirely around said base and rearwardly pivoted thereon, being adapted to upward pivoting whereby the front portion of said bumper may be employed as a handle for pushing the toy, and a pair of inwardly projecting floor boards hinged at their outer edges to said base and adapted to be pivoted into parallel alignment with said arcuate members.

2. A rolling and rocking toy comprising a hollow base, spaced supporting wheels journaled thereon a pair of spaced arcuate upwardly extending rocker members mounted on said base and joined thereto at their ends, a continuous bumper positioned entirely around said base and rearwardly pivoted thereon, being adapted to upward pivoting whereby the front portion of said bumper may be employed as a handle for pushing the toy, a pair of inwardly projecting floor boards hinged at their outer edges to said base and adapted to be pivoted into parallel alignment with said arcuate members, formed toy enclosing sidewall members extending from said base and over a substantial portion of said rocker members, and spring clips on the interior of said wall members for securing said floor boards in the latter position.

3. A rolling and rocking toy comprising a hollow base, a pair of spaced arcuate upwardly extending rocker members mounted on said base, a centrally converging back rest positioned between said rocker members, a seat member secured at one end to the apex portion of said back rest, and with its elongated forward portion being secured to said arcuate members, a central steering wheel rotatably journaled and supported from said elongated portion, a rear platform on said base and having a transverse arcuate trough formed therein, a rear axle mounted on said platform within said trough, and a pair of wheels journaled on opposite ends of said axle.

4. A rolling and rocking toy comprising a hollow base, a pair of spaced arcuate upwardly extending rocker members mounted on said base, a centrally converging back rest positioned between said rocker members, a seat member se cured at one end to the apex portion of said back rest, and with its elongated forward portion being secured to said arcuate members, a central steering wheel rotatably journaled and supported from said elongated portion, a rear platform on said base, a rear axle mounted on said platform, with a pair of wheels on its ends, and a continuous bumper positioned entirely around said base and rearwardly pivoted to the ends of said axle, being adapted to upward pivoting whereby said bumper acts as a handle for pushing the toy.

ROBERT B. BENNETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,533,651 Kister Apr. 14, 1925 1,570,410 Strauss -l Jan. 19, 1926 1,658,302 Renaud Feb. '7, 1928 1,826,502 Brown Oct. 6, 1931 2,429,213 Bennett Oct. 21, 1947 

